Selector valve



Oct- 16, 1934- I A. J. GRANBERG SELECTOR VALVE Filed May 2, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet l Oct. 16, 1934. A, J. GRANBERG 7 SELECTOR VALVE r Filed May 2. 1-932 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I VENTO 6ZMt% ian%.

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Patented Oct. 16, 1934 1,977,337 SELECTOR VALVE Albert J. Granberg, Berkeley, Calif., assignor to Ralph N. Brodie Company, Oakland, Calif., a corporation of California Application May 2, 1932, Serial No. 608,647-

2 Claims.

This invention relates to valves and more par-' ticularly pertains to a valve of the selector type which has a plurality of intake connections but a single discharge connection in order that the discharge connection may be selectively placed in communication with either of the intake connections.

It is the principal object of the present invention to provide an improved selector valve which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and which is extremely eificient in operation, which valve is capable of operation to establish communication between a selected fluid reservoir and a discharge pipe common to all of the. reservoirs and simultaneously place a siphon breakerassociated with the selected reservoir in communication with the discharge pipe.

In carrying the invention into practice I provide'a valve structure including a pair of valves operated by a single stem. One of these valves controls communication between a plurality of intake ports associated, with separate reservoirs and a common discharge port associated with a discharge line. The other valve controls establishment of communication between siphon breakers interposed in the intake lines and the discharge pipe. The two valves operate simultaneously to establish communication between a selected tank and the discharge line and to establish communication between the siphon breaker of the selected tank and the discharge line.

One form which the invention may assume is exemplified in the following description and illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a view in plan showing my improved valve and the arrangement of the conduits. V

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the assembly shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a central longitudinally sectional view through an improved valve structure embodying the preferred form of my invention.

Fig. 4 is a plan view thereof with the dial mechanism removed.

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view taken on line VV of Fig. 1.

Referring more particularly to the accompanying drawings 10 indicates a valve body having three radially arranged inlet ports 11 disposed at ninety degrees apart with their axes at right angles to the axis of the valve body and disposed substantially midway between the opposite ends of the valve body as illustrated. The valve body is also formed with a single outlet port which is disposed concentrically about the axis of the valve body in one end of the latter and consequently at ninety degrees to the axis of the inlet ports 11. The outlet port 12 communicates with a passageway 14. which makes a right angular 0 turn and terminates beyond the side and end of the valve body. The valve body 10 is formed with a portion inclosing this passageway 14, which portion terminates in a cylindrical nipple 15 circumscribed by a flange 16. This flange 16 6 may be utilized to connect the valve body to a pipe line. The inlet ports 11 are interiorly threaded for a similar purpose.

The valve body 10 is formed with a conical bore which is concentric to the axis of the valve body and, of course, at ninety degrees to the axis of the inlet ports 11. The larger end of this bore is contiguous to the end of the valve body opposite the outlet port 12. The end of the valve body adjacent the enlarged end of the conical bore therein is formed with a circumscribing flange 17 which is complemental to a flange 18 formed as a part of a bonnet 19. Flanges 17 and 18 are suitably secured together by cap screws or the like so that the bonnet structure and the valve body will be rigidly fixed together. The flange 18 forms a cover plate for the end of the valve body.

Rotatably disposed in the conical bore of the valve body is a main selector valve member 20. This valve member is of hollow construction in the interests of lightness of weight and economy in manufacture. Formed through this valve member is a passageway 21 which opens through the side of the valve member 20 and through one end thereof so that the passageway 21 may register with any one of the inlet ports 11 and with the outlet port 12. In other words, the passageway 21 can register with only one inlet port at a time but is in constant register with the outlet port 12. As the circumferential wall of the valve member 20 is imperforated except for the opening therein of the passageway 21 when the latter is in register with one of the inlet ports 11 the remaining inlet ports are closed. In this manner by rotating the valve member 20 communication may be established between a selected intake port 11 and the outlet port 12.

It will be seen from Fig. 1 that the outlet ports 11 are each connected to a different storage tank 22, 23 and 24 by means of conduits as illustrated in the drawings.

It is intended that the three tanks 22, 23 and .24 contain gasoline or other fluid to be dispensed of different characters or quality and that the valve mechanism here disclosed be utilized to form a communication between any one of these tanks and a single or common discharge conduit 25. This discharge conduit is connected or in communication with the outlet passageway 14 of the valve body 10. Interposed between the discharge conduit 25 and the valve body or passageway 14 is a meter 26 of any preferred type of design. This meter is provided for the purpose of measuring the amount or volume of the fluid dispensed and indicating the amount dispensed through the valve.

Disposed at each conduit connection between the valve and the tanks is a siphon breaker 2'7, as most clearly illustrated in. Figs. 1 and 2. For obvious reasons it is desirable to connect the air discharge of these siphon breakers with the discharge pipe 25 at a point beyond the meter. is also necessary and desirable that the conduit forming a communication between the siphon breakers and the discharge pipe 25 be valve controlled in order that these conduits will be closed when liquid is not being withdrawn from the particular tank with which the siphon breaker is associated. For this reason the bonnet structure 19 is formed with a valve chamber 28 which is tapered in a direction opposite to the taper or the main valve chamber in the body 10. Formed about this chamber 28 is a distributor groove 29. Rotatably mounted in the valve chamber 28 is a plug type of valve 30 having a recess 31 formed in its face. The bonnet structure is formed with a port 32 which communicates with the distributor groove 29. This port is tapped in order that a conduit 33 may be connected therewith and connected with the discharge conduit 25.

The bonnet structure is also formed with three intake ports 34 which may be placed in communication with the distributor groove 29. These ports are likewise tapped in order that they may be separately connected to conduits leading one to each siphon breaker 27.

When the valve member 30 is turned the recess 31 therein is turned to register with one intake port 34 and with the distributor groove 29 so that by rotating the valve member any one of the intake ports 34 may be connected with the distributor groove 29 so as to establish communication between the selected intake port and the discharge port 32, thus forming a communication between the selected siphon breaker and the discharge pipe 25. In other words, when gasoline or fluid is being withdrawn from the tank 22, the siphon breaker 2'7 associated with said tank is simultaneously placed in communication or operative relation to the discharge pipe 25.

In order to operate the valves 20 and 30, a valve stem 35 is provided which is arranged coaxially of the valve members 20 and 30. The latter, of course, are arranged in axial alignment. At the lower end of this valve stem it is formed with a clutch part 36 which is complemental to a clutch part 3'7 on the valve member 20. This connection enables relative axial movement between the valve stem 35 and the valve 20 but forms a rotative connection therebetween so that when the valve stem is turned, the valve member 20 is turned a like amount. This connection between the valve stem and the valve member is to some degree flexible in order to accommodate wearing of the valve member and the conical bore of the valve body 10.

The valve stem is also formed with a laterally projecting key member 38 which engages a key way 39 in the valve member 30 to form a rotative connection therebetween. This connection, however, permits relative axial movement between the valve stem 35 and the valve 30 in order to accommodate wear occurring between the valve member 30 and its seat.

An expansion spring 40 is mounted about the valve stem 35 and engaged at one end with a shoulder on the valve member 30, which spring is so disposed that it constantly urges both valve members intoa firm seat in their respective chambers. This spring will automatically take up any wear occurring between the contacting faces of the valve members and their seats and Will also maintain them firmly seated to minimize leakage.

A packing gland structure 41 is provided about the valve stem 35 at the end of the bonnet to prevent leakage from the valve body about the valve stem.

Reference being had to Fig. 3 it will be noted that I have also provided an indicating mechanism by means of which the operator may easily determine the position of the valve member 20 and to aid him in selecting from which tank 20 he desires fluid to be withdrawn.

This indicating mechanism comprises a dial 42 supported by a yoke 43 firmly connected at its end opposite the dial to the bonnet. A handle 44 is secured to the valve stem and is provided with a pointer 45 which cooperates with the indicator dial in indicating which tank or outlet port passage 21 of the valve member 20 is in register.

In the present instance I intend that the valve be used in dispensing three qualities of gasoline, which for the purpose of identification, are in different colors. Therefore, the dial is marked with the color of the gasoline and as the pointer is in fixed relation with the valve passageway21 and the valve 20, manipulation of the valve handle 44 with reference to the pointer and dial will enable the operator to promptly withdraw fluid from the selected tank.

In operation of the device, it is constructed and assembled in connection with its associate apparatus as illustrated in the drawings, one tank being connected to each inlet port 11, likewise the siphon breaker in the connection between each tank and the valve is likewise connected to the bonnet.

If it is desired to draw from the tank 22, the handle 44 is moved to a position causing registration of the passageway 21 with the proper inlet port 11. This may be determined by the indication of the pointer 45. At the same time the proper intake port 34 in the bonnet member is placed in communication with the distributor groove 29 so as to place the siphon breaker 27 of the tank 22 in communication with the discharge pipe 25. When fluid is not being withdrawn from any one of the tanks, the valve member 20 may be positioned with its passageway 21 not in register with any one of the intake ports 11. When in this position, the valve member 30 will be in a position entirely enclosing all of the intake ports 34.

While I have shown the preferred form of my invention, it is to be understood that various changes may be made in its construction by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A valve structure of the character described comprising a valve body having a tapered valve bore, said valve body having a plurality of circumferentially spaced inlet ports arranged with their axis at ninety degrees to the axis of the bore, said valve body having an outlet port arranged concentrically about the axis thereof at the end thereof contiguous to the smallest end of said bore, a tapered valve member fitting said bore and rotatable therein, said valve member having a passageway formed therethrough extending from one side thereof through the smaller end thereof whereby it will be in constant register with said outlet port and capable upon rotation of being placed in communication with any one of said inlet ports, a bonnet formed as a part of the valve body, said bonnet being formed with a valve chamber, a valve member in said chamber capable of rotation simultaneously with the other valve member, said bonnet being formed with three intake connections and a single outlet connection, said last-named valve member and valve bore being formed with cooperating means for placing any one of said intake connections in communication with said outlet connection, said means comprising a distributor groove formed about the periphery of said bore and in communication with the outlet connection, said valve member having a recess formed therein in communication with said groove and adapted to be placed in register with any one of said intake connections.

2. A valve structure of the character described comprising a valve body having a tapered valve bore, said valve body having a plurality of circumferentially spaced inlet ports arranged with their axis at ninety degrees to the axis of the bore, said valve body having an outlet port arranged concentrically about the axis thereof at the end thereof contiguous to the smallest end of said bore, a tapered valve member fitting said bore and rotatable therein, said valve member having a passageway formed therethrough extending from one side thereof through the small er end thereof whereby it will be in constant register with said outlet port and capable upon rotation of being placed in communication with any one of said inlet ports, a bonnet formed as a part of the valve body, said bonnet being formed with a valve chamber, a valve member in said chamber capable of rotation simultaneously with the other valve member, said bonnet being formed with three intake connections and a single outlet connection, said last-named valve member and valve bore being formed with co operating means for placing any one of said intake connections in communication with said outlet connection, a valve stem arranged coaxially of said valves, means forming a connection between said valves and said stem whereby rotation of the stem will be accompanied by rotation of the valve members, said connections permitting relative axial movement between the valve members and the stem, spring means bearing on said valve members to urge them on their seats, and indicator means carried by the valve body and valve stem for indicating the position of the valve members.

ALBERT J. GRANBERG. 

